Throwback Thursday: Anthem by Ayn Rand Essay

My sophomore year of high school, I was a semi-finalist / third place winner in the international Ayn Rand Foundation Anthem essay contest. This was my essay. Most fictional, future worlds, even the post-apocalyptic and/or totalitarian ones, are technologically advanced, at least compared to the time in which they were written. In Anthem, unlike most,…

Book Recommendations: YA Classic Retellings

Alice in Wonderland A mind-bending new novel inspired by the twisted and wondrous works of Lewis Carroll... In a warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people called the Old City, there stands a hospital with cinderblock walls which echo the screams of the poor souls inside. In the hospital, there is a woman. Her hair,…

Book Recommendations: YA Classic Retellings

Peter Pan Ten years ago, Peter Pan left Neverland to grow up, leaving behind his adolescent dreams of boyhood and resigning himself to life as Wendy Darling. Growing up, however, has only made him realize how inescapable his identity as a man is. But when he returns to Neverland, everything has changed: the Lost Boys…

Ultimate Guide to Every Book You’ll Need For The AP Literature Exam

AP Literature is a great class, thats super helpful for becoming a better writer, and for getting your Intro English credit for most colleges in the USA. AP Lit, as its called by many, is a lot of work though, and will other classes, and since its typically taken Senior Year, a combination of senioritis…

Netgalley Review: A Literary Tea Party

A Literary Tea Party Blends and Treats for Alice, Bilbo, Dorothy, Jo, and Book Lovers Everywhere by Alison Walsh Skyhorse Publishing Cooking, Food & Wine A Literary-Inspired Cookbook for Voracious Readers at Teatime Tea and books: the perfect pairing. There's nothing quite like sitting down to a good book on a lovely afternoon with a…

Major Works Data Sheet – The Metamorphosis

Major Works Data Sheet Title: The Metamorphosis Author: Franz Kafka Date of Publication: Originally published in 1915, first english translation in 1933 Genre: Absurdist fiction, novella, slipstream fiction Biographical information about the author (for my knowledge only, but very helpful): Born to Jewish parents in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kafka lived through the turmoil of the…

Major Works Data Sheet – The Importance of Being Earnest

Title: The Importance of Being Earnest Author: Oscar Wilde Date of Publication: 1898, First Performed 1895 Genre: Satire, Comedy of Manners Biographical information about the author (for my knowledge only, but very helpful): Author, playwright and poet Oscar Wilde was a popular literary figure in late Victorian England, known for his brilliant wit, flamboyant style…

Major Works – AP Lit Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Title: Pride and Prejudice Author:  Jane Austen Date of Publication: 1813 Genre: Comedy, Coming-of-Age, Literary Fiction Biographical information about the author (for my knowledge only, but very helpful): Jane Austen was born in Steventon, England, in 1775. Her father was the rector of the local parish and taught her largely at home. She began to write…

Major Works Data Sheet – 1984

Major Works Data Sheet Title:    1984 Author:  George Orwell Date of Publication: 1949 Genre:  Dystopian Fiction Biographical information about the author (for my knowledge only, but very helpful): George Orwell is the pseudonym for Eric Arthur Blair. He wrote about the despairing realities of British colonialism and the working class struggles. Many of his works…

School Required Reading Reviews: Pride & Prejudice / A Thousand Splendid Suns / The Death of Ivan Ilych

Okay, so... These are really late. But, I wanted to post them anyways. Enjoy! Original Release Date: Published October 10th 2000 by Modern Library (first published 1813) Date I Read The Book: July 2017 My Star Rating: 4 Stars Chronology: Standalone Official Summary: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of…